Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering a 2028 construction start for the Galway city ring road and the end of the challenge to Galway Harbour's extension, leave for a judicial review of paid parking at Blanchardstown, demolition of derelict buildings on Cork's North Main Street, a call for a national self-build pathway, plans for 69 homes in Falcarragh, and permission for a machinery auction centre in Portlaoise.
Galway ring road works expected in 2028 as harbour extension challenge is dropped
Construction of the N6 Galway City Ring Road is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2028, Galway City Council's Director of Services Derek Pender told a council meeting, with a construction tender envisaged for mid to late 2027 and enabling works, such as fencing and the relocation of utilities, highly probable next year. Separately, active travel campaigner Shane Foran has withdrawn his High Court challenge to An Coimisiún Pleanála's approval of the Galway Harbour extension, after the city council and Galway Harbour Company agreed to examine better cycling links on Lough Atalia Road and to commission feasibility studies on cycling routes through the harbour lands. Councillors were told the agreements showed the value of dialogue in avoiding costly legal challenges, while concerns were raised about offers to homeowners whose properties are subject to compulsory purchase orders along the ring road route.
Source: RTÉ News (9 November 2026) (https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2026/1109/1598579-galway-ring-road/); The Irish Times (9 November 2026) (https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/09/galway-man-drops-challenge-to-harbour-expansion-after-securing-cycling-route-commitments/)
TD granted leave for judicial review of Blanchardstown paid parking approval
Ruth Coppinger TD has been granted leave by the High Court to seek a judicial review of An Coimisiún Pleanála's September decision to permit a paid parking barrier system at Blanchardstown Town Centre. Her counsel argued that insufficient consideration had been given to the development plan objectives for Major Town Centre zoning, the lack of local transport links, social inclusion and the net loss of 97 trees. The Commission's inspector had found that controlled parking could reasonably be regarded as a way of managing demand for car travel and parking in an established Major Town Centre.
Source: TheJournal.ie (9 November 2026) (https://www.thejournal.ie/ruth-coppinger-judicial-review-blanchardstown-shopping-centre-parking-charges-7220858-Nov2026/)
Cork City Council to demolish derelict terrace on North Main Street
Cork City Council is to demolish Nos. 62 to 65 North Main Street, a long-derelict terrace, after consultant engineers warned that the buildings and retained façades posed an immediate public-safety concern, with a credible risk of partial collapse. The buildings were entered on the derelict sites register in December 2015, acquired by compulsory purchase and vested in the council in 2022, and a tender for development proposals begun in May has now been terminated. Work began on 9 November and is expected to take up to eight weeks, with a footpath closure and the temporary loss of six parking spaces; the council says it remains committed to the site's redevelopment.
Source: Irish Examiner (9 November 2026) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/developmentconstruction/arid-41935287.html)
Oireachtas housing committee to hear call for a national self-build pathway
Harrison Gardner, presenter of RTÉ's Build Your Own Home, is to tell the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage today that the State should fund hands-on training for self-builders through Education and Training Boards, local authorities and community groups. He will ask the committee to recommend a national self-build pathway in the Government's housing plan, with a register in every council of people and groups who want to build their own homes. The meeting, on sustainable methods of construction and issues in the construction sector, will also hear from the Irish Green Building Council and the Construction Industry Federation.
Source: TheJournal.ie (10 November 2026) (https://www.thejournal.ie/harrison-gardner-self-build-7220842-Nov2026/)
Plans lodged for 69 homes, mostly social, at Falcarragh
B&E Hone Construction Ltd has applied to Donegal County Council for 69 homes at Radharc Ná Trá, Falcarragh, comprising 55 social homes and 14 private houses. The mix is 49 two-bed homes, seven three-bed, twelve four-bed and one five-bed group home. Permission is also sought for the continued use of an existing vehicular entrance and access road built in connection with an earlier development.
Source: Donegal Daily (9 November 2026) (https://www.donegaldaily.com/lead-stories/plans-submitted-for-new-69-house-estate-in-west-donegal-657436)
Machinery auction centre granted in Portlaoise enterprise park
Laois County Council has granted Tamar Selby Ltd, a subsidiary of the Euro Auctions Group, permission with 23 conditions for a plant machinery auction facility at the council's National Enterprise Park at Knockmay, Portlaoise. The scheme includes a 2,178 sq m showroom, auction arena and office building, a 3,389 sq m workshop building, machinery storage yards, parking and a nature-based surface water management system. The facility is expected to employ 54 people and hold 36 auctions a year; the council had sought further information on operating hours, parking, lighting, a road safety audit and the choice of location.
Source: Laois Live (9 November 2026) (https://www.ireland-live.ie/midlands/laois-live/plant-machinery-auctioneering-company-gets-green-light-for-huge-outlet-in-portlaoise-9340415)
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